Actually I got a series 1 bridgeport

1917 Views 24 Replies 7 Participants Last post by The Dark Knight, May 22, 2010

The Dark Knight

Discussion Starter · Apr 23, 2010

4

Well, I got to aci machine Tool sales and service and the beaver wasn't too bad and still was a good deal but he had like eight bridgeports lined up. The beaver was a little big and the motor looked smaller than the bridgeport. So the guy gave me a deal on one of the series ones he had. It has the 2j2 head on it with variable speed and power downfeed. It also came with a power feed on the x that needs just a little work and glass DROs on the x and y but there missing the display but I have been looking and you can get one for pretty cheap. Even if its not the same brand all you have to do is change the pin out to match the machine. I ended up getting the mill for $1500.

Mark showed me around the place he had everything. CNC everthing he used to be an SOT and produce machine guns. He was working on a bowling ball cannon when I came he had the barrel in one of his CNC lathes. He put the mill on the back of my truck for me with a huge forklift. Then I went to cincinnati to eat at pappadeaux spent the night then headed back home.

To move the machine I used a 2 ton engine hoist and a come along. I backed my truck up the hill then put the lift up to the head removed it then put it on a dolly in garage. Then I took the ram off with the lift. After that the hardest part started I got some chain, bolts and washers and used the X that holds the ram to lift the rest. I backed my truck in my garage and lifted it off the bed then drove the truck out from under it. I got it all put together then a couple days later cleaned it up really good I don't have any pics of that but I will post them later.

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1 - 20 of 25 Posts

The Dark Knight

Discussion Starter · #2 · Apr 23, 2010

5

more pics

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The Dark Knight

Discussion Starter · #3 · Apr 23, 2010

2

couple more

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Coils

· #4 · Apr 23, 2010

Nice
patiently waiting for more pics

Viper Dude

· #5 · Apr 23, 2010 (Edited)

Hello Dark Knight,
Thanks for taking and sharing your pictures !!! That was a serious road trip for a cool machine. Try to get a manual of parts and maintenance for your Bridgeprt. That will help you identify things and find the proper lube points. Don't forget to get a copy of "Machinery's Handbook" too.

There are many favorites for cleaning and rust removal. Zep purple cleaner is fairly strong caustic stuff to remove grease and varnish etc. Rusty surfaces can be scrubbed with WD-40 (or kerosine or diesel) and steel wool without causing damage.

You'll likely have a bunch of questions so ask away and we'll try to get you the best answers.

VD

moleman

· #6 · Apr 23, 2010

I am green with envy! You are going to be so much happier with a real machine over a machine that's compromise for space. Congratulation on your score!

The Dark Knight

Discussion Starter · #7 · Apr 23, 2010

Thanks guys I cleaned it up a couple of days ago. I used a ton of super clean and purple power. Then I coated the whole thing with WD40. It's a lot better looking now. It is two colors in parts but I don't care. The ways are pretty tight and everything moves pretty smooth. It was in a GE factory and you could tell it hadn't been cleaned for a while. I got a 3HP Rotary phase convertor and going to run a sub panel to my garage because I need more power out there already. The mill also came with an oiler It is only missing the four way above the pump and it should work as well.

dutigaf

· #8 · Apr 23, 2010

very nice.

im still looking for a good deal like this.

The Dark Knight

Discussion Starter · #9 · Apr 24, 2010

I got it hooked up and it runs pretty good. The power feed on the table works the pot just seems a little dirty. I'll take more photos when I get the oiler and the power feed running in top shape.

Viper Dude

· #10 · Apr 24, 2010

Hello Dark Knight,
You are way ahead of me !!! Good going !!!
The oil pump you mention sounds like a "one-shot" lube system. Those are very good to have and usually indicate a machine with minimal wear !!!

Your RPC can also power up other 3-phase machines for your shop but keep only one load on at a time. Other machines can idle at the same time no problem.

Hello Dutigaf,
I think you are in Ohio so a road trip to Cincinatti would be reasonable. You may be able to score a good deal on a B'port at the same place. I have driven from Toledo through Cincinatti to Ft Knox numerous times often with a military convoy.

VD

bsouthnow

· #11 · Apr 24, 2010

Good Going DK. That is a serious hunk of iron. Good find. I bought a used BP about 2 years ago and have never looked back. Can't be beat.
Congrats again.
Bill

The Dark Knight

Discussion Starter · #12 · Apr 24, 2010

bsouthnow said:
Good Going DK. That is a serious hunk of iron. Good find. I bought a used BP about 2 years ago and have never looked back. Can't be beat.
Congrats again.
Bill

thanks

Hey VD, it is a one shot lube system it was off of the machine and the guy looked around his shop and found me one. The place is located in Lawrenceburg KY. The website is ACI Machine Tools Sales, LLC, Lawrenceburg, KY - Home great guy to deal. Aslo bought that rotory becasue now I have to get a lathe haha and with the rotory you get like 97% of the power.

If i get some time i'm going to take that power feed apart and check over the board. I run a business with my brother fixing electronics mostly music equipment. We are certified with a bunch of companies. Beyond Sanity Productions So if you guys need work done with electronics I might be able to help. Send it my way I'll give you a good deal. .

Coils

· #13 · Apr 24, 2010

I run a business with my brother fixing electronics mostly music equipment.

That's funny you brought that up, I might get in touch later to see if you can fix a guitar amp I've had in the closet for a few years.

Viper Dude

· #14 · Apr 25, 2010

Hello Dark Knight,
Your RPC at 3 hp should be sufficient for up to 2 hp loads. Bet you already knew that !!

The RPC can also handle a 3 phase 2hp lathe !! A larger HP lathe would require either a larger RPC, an added parallel RPC, or perhaps even just idling your B'port in a parallel circuit. I suspect that you know more about this than I do.

A large lathe is a major good thing to have !!! Bigger is better (if you have the room). Take a look at moleman's thread here. He's doing a resto on a Sheldon lathe. I'm doing a resto on my 5918 Clausing (and K&T Milwaukee mill).

VD

dutigaf

· #15 · Apr 25, 2010

VIper,

yeah that is a only a 3 hour ride for me so its very doable if a price is good. will go check out the link he put in here.

thanks guys!

Viper Dude

· #16 · May 9, 2010

Hello Dark Knight,
Were you able to fix your B'port power feed drive ??? Made any chips yet ???

VD

The Dark Knight

Discussion Starter · #17 · May 15, 2010

Viper Dude said:
Hello Dark Knight,
Were you able to fix your B'port power feed drive ??? Made any chips yet ???

VD

Yeah I have done some test milling and it ran pretty good. I got the power feed to work. All it needed was some wires resoldered and new switches it cost me about five dollars. I also got the DRO working. I was missing the display, so I found one on ebay for $50 bucks sombody cut the power cord off of. The X axis zero button was worn out so I replaced all the zero switches with side mounted ones. I hate those type of switches they always break. The ones I replaced them with are going to last way longer. I hooked up the display and it works great it's a three axis.

If you guys need DROs worked on or power feeds my business can do it just PM me. I'll give you a gunco discount.

I am rebuilding the top end right now I replaced the front vari disc bushing and now I am working on the motor side. I got the bearings to replace while I'm in there I got some new old stock ones.

VD, I'm sure you know all about rebuilding the top end. The hardest part is when you glue the motor bushing in you have to bore it out so it is perfectly centered on the shaft I found a guy in fairmont who said he will do it for close to free. If you've got some advise it would come in handy.

I could have ran the machine for a while without rebuilding it but, while I was working on it I wanted to do it right. The bushing were lose but none of them had been wore away. So there shouldn't be any damage.

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Viper Dude

· #18 · May 16, 2010 (Edited)

Hello Dark Knight,
Sounds like your B'Port has turned out very well. The power feed and DRO are real assets for ease of mill work. Noisy, worn B'Port vari speed drives are not rare. Fortunately I have not had to dig into mine. You are way ahead of me !!

For specific help on your B'Port head I reccommend that sub-forum on Practical Machinist - Largest Manufacturing Technology Forum on the Web . The fellows there are extremely knowlegeable about repair tricks, sources, etc. A parts manual is vital for this work. It is also most important to get the lube chart for your machine to find all the points and keep them serviced properly with oil. Grease is rarely used on mills. Wish I could be more helpful here.

VD PS: I recall you have a one-shot lube pump. That is a great help but still check all the usual suspects !!!

The Dark Knight

Discussion Starter · #19 · May 16, 2010

yeah I got that one shot working too. It does a good job, really gets the oil into the ways. Thats the cool thing about these bridgeports is that you can find any on them. I got a bunch of service manuals which help a lot.

I can't wait until i get to really put it to use. I was going to use it on a m64 reweld I did to clear out the rails what do you guys think is the best cutter for that. I was thinking some type of woodruff cutter. What material have you guys found that cuts weld the best?

Viper Dude

· #20 · May 16, 2010

Hello Dark Knight,
Milling on welds can really eat up HSS cutters. I suggest carbide and go slow with coolant as welds on carbon or alloy steels can be very hard (depending upon how they cooled off).

Some places you can use small fiber-reinforced abrasive discs on a mandrel to grind smooth weld lumps with a mill. Take care to keep the grit out of the mill bearing surfaces.

Woodruff key cutters while handy can be spendy. The HSS key cutters may not be able to carve the hardened weld areas.

VD

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